Underground Construction - February 2018 - 27

PCCA and Push Inc. helped develop a
curriculum for a utility construction technician program for the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) in Rice
Lake, WI. WITC has approved the course
outline and expects students in November
2018. PCCA has begun working on a program with Terra State Community College
in Fremont, Ohio, and will announce other
participating schools this year.
Raising the industry's voice
PCCA's always-busy Government & Industry Affairs Committee traveled to
Washington, D.C., three times in 2017 to
meet with lawmakers, congressional staff,
federal agencies, owner groups and other
industry associations. At these meetings,
PCCA advocates on behalf of its members
and educates legislators, regulators and
others about power and communication
construction and the many benefits it
provides. Last year, PCCA worked with the
Trump Administration and Congress to
facilitate tax reform, regulatory relief and
increased federal spending for power and
broadband, particularly in underserved
areas.
The committee's work is truly a collaborative effort, and the entire PCCA
membership greatly appreciates the contributions of: John Audi, MasTec North
America; Carmine Battafarano, HMI
Technical Solutions; John Fluharty, Mears
Group; Robin Gilbertson, J&R Underground; John Hale, John Deere; Jerrod
Henschel, Michels Corporation; Todd
Myers, KG Myers Construction Co.; Rob
Pribyl, MP Nexlevel; Rex Schick, K & W
Underground; and Steve Sellenriek, Sellenriek Construction.
PCCA meetings: great
information, great times
PCCA held its 73rd Annual Convention in
March 2017, where nearly 350 industry
professionals, family and friends met in
sunny Carolina, Puerto Rico, for topical
education, great speakers, relaxed networking, fascinating tours, and lots of rollicking good times. The meeting program
was filled with educational opportunities,

including sessions on Conflict Resolution,
Microgrids, the Utility Construction Market Outlook, Project Owner Perspectives,
and a powerful Opening Session with keynote speaker and Benghazi hero Kris "Tanto" Paronto. The association saluted outgoing President Todd Myers and welcomed
new President Jim Dillahunty.
The undisputed highlight of the convention was the induction of Max Clark
into the PCCA Hall of Fame. Clark was the
founder and owner of C&B Associates,
rock saw pioneer, 33-year PCCA member,
longtime member of the board of directors, association president in 1990-'91,
and role model, mentor and friend to
countless people in the industry.
Six months after the PCCA Convention,
Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto
Rico and devastated the island. Through
the PCCA Foundation, PCCA members donated $36,000 to hurricane-relief efforts.
The 2017 PCCA Mid-Year Meeting drew
more than 160 association members and
their families to the fabulous Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara, CA, in September.
The meeting featured three fascinating industry speakers: Jonathan Adelstein, president & CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure
Association, former FCC Commissioner,
and former Rural Utilities Service Administrator; Jonathan Claffey, Policy Adviser
for the Rural Utility Service's Electric
Program; and Les Carter, a manager in
Dominion Energy's Strategic Underground
Program. General Session speaker Dr. Dale
Henry delivered powerful business advice
with a healthy dose of down-home storytelling and humor. Members also visited
some world-class vineyards, explored the
historic downtown, sailed Santa Barbara's
majestic coastline, and toured the Ronald
Reagan Presidential Library.
PCCA has two fantastic meetings slated
for 2018: the 74th Annual Convention,
March 2-7, at the Grand Hyatt Kauai
in Hawaii; and the Mid-Year Meeting,
September 12-15, at the Fairmont
Southampton in Bermuda.
For more information on the meetings
and to learn more about PCCA, visit www.
pccaweb.org. ■

PCCA 2017-18 Officers & Board of
Directors
Oﬃcers:
President ...........................Jim Dillahunty,
Henkels & McCoy
President-Elect ..............Larry Pribyl,
MP Nexlevel
1st Vice President .........David Aubrey,
Irby Construction Co.
2nd Vice President .......John Fluharty,
Mears Group
Treasurer ..........................Robert Breeden,
ElectriCom
Secretary ...........................Jerrod Henschel,
Michels Corporation
General Directors:
Garrett Akin, Brooks Construction Co.
Craig Amerine, Amerine Utilities Construction
Nick Anderson, Anderson Underground
John Audi, MasTec North America
Tony Briggs, Vermeer Corporation
Ed Campbell, Henkels & McCoy
Tucker Dotson, Ditch Witch
Matthew Gabrielse, Gabe's Construction Co.
Robin Gilbertson, J&R Underground
Timothy Killoren, TelCom Construction
Chase Lapcinski, Push Inc.
Dan Levac, Preformed Line Products
Todd Myers, Kenneth G. Myers Construction Co.
Rob Pribyl, MP Nexlevel
Heath Sellenriek, Sellenriek Construction
Ryan Steinbecker, Altec Industries
Don Stephens, Tjader & Highstrom
Lindsley Thulin, Michels Corporation
Jason Tyler, Brooks Construction

UConOnline.com | FEBRUARY 2018

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Underground Construction - February 2018

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